A fit and healthy mum-of-two had to undergo life-changing surgery after discovering her acid reflux was in fact stage three cancer.
Michelle Staveley, 52, had suffered from no other symptoms and believed the acid problem was caused by stomach ulcers. But she was given the shock diagnosis after complaining to her doctor on a number of occasions.
Within four weeks, Michelle, from Cliviger near Burnley, had to have an operation to remove her kidney, overseen by two specialist surgeons, Lancs Live reports.
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The mum has described her ordeal as "traumatising" for her and her family.
After repeated visits to her GP, the true extent of the problem eventually became apparent. Michelle said: "I was getting acid which I only had when I was pregnant.
"It was just that I kept going back to the doctors because it was coming all the time. It didn't matter what I ate, it was constant. That's when they put the camera in."
A first test found evidence of ulcers but when they were still present after a follow scan six weeks later and then again after that, it prompted greater concern. Following a CT scan, she was eventually diagnosed with stage three renal cell carcinoma.
"It was a real shock because I was so fit and healthy," Michelle said. "They think I'd had it there for a few years because it grows 2cm a year and they think I'd masked it because I was so fit and healthy.
"We've always been fit and healthy as a family. We're always out biking and walking and there were no obvious signs. People sometimes say 'oh I'd thought you'd lost weight' but there was none of that."
On getting her diagnosis, she added: "It was traumatic for us all. No-one had had cancer in the family before. "I went in with ulcers and came out told 'you've got a 10cm tumour and your kidney's coming out'."
Michelle had a six-hour operation at Royal Blackburn Hospital to remove her left kidney and a 10cm tumour, which had also spread to her renal vein. She was then due to have immunotherapy at Rosemere Cancer Foundation in Preston, but around the same time Michelle was also diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Doctors advised Michelle to avoid the treatment planned due to the impact it would have on her bowel. Instead, she now has regular scans to check for any signs the cancer has returned.
As her recovery continues, Michelle has returned to her active lifestyle and will take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life next month to celebrate going into remission. In April this year, just six months after undergoing lifesaving surgery, she completed Tough Mudder in London and raised £1660 for Cancer Research UK.
"The last few months have been traumatic, but I’m here," she said. "I want to be an inspiration to others. It’s been hard, but I did it. I don’t know anyone with kidney cancer, but I want to show people that, like me, they can get through this.
"I think trying to be healthy has helped me to recover quickly. I love doing the park runs and enjoy cycling again with my husband Peter. Life is short, so you must do what makes you happy.
"At Race For Life I am going to wear my back sign saying that I’m in remission and I want people to ask me about my journey. We all have a reason to Race for Life. For me it will be a chance to say thank you and to raise money to help others facing cancer right now."
Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the North West, Jemma Humphreys, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Michelle for her support. We’d love for as many people as possible across Lancashire to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life.
"Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. Together we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So we’re asking people across the region: Who will you Race for?
"Our Race for Life events are open to all. For some people, Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog. Others may opt to push themselves harder, taking up the challenge of the 10K distance. But what’s for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities."
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